A strategic meeting between the leadership of Astana
International University (AIU), the China Council for the Promotion of
International Trade (CCPIT), and the Association of Entities «General Association of Chinese Enterprises in
Kazakhstan» took place at the Representative Office of CCPIT in
the Republic of Kazakhstan in Astana.
The AIU delegation was represented by University
President Serik Irsaliyev, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation Kairat
Abdrakhmanov, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the AIU Endowment Fund
Farkhad Kuanganov, and Director of the Research Institute of the New
Asia-Europe Land-Sea Transport Corridor Nurali Irsaliyev.
The Chinese delegation was headed by Ms. Liu Yue,
Chief Representative of CCPIT in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Head of the
General Association of Chinese Enterprises in the RK.
The central theme of the negotiations was promoting
the project to establish a «Kazakhstan-China Joint University» as well as
practical steps toward integrating education, science, and industry (产学研).
During the meeting, AIU President Serik Irsaliyev
noted that over 7,500 enterprises with Chinese capital are currently operating
in Kazakhstan. Consequently, there is a rapidly growing demand for specialists –
engineers, builders, logisticians, and IT personnel – who possess specialized
professional skills and are fluent in technical Chinese as well as Kazakh or
Russian. Highlighting the successful launch of the Beijing Language and Culture
University (BLCU) branch at AIU, Mr. Irsaliyev proposed expanding the scope of
cooperation from basic language training to establishing joint applied colleges
tailored to the specific recruitment needs of businesses.
Ms. Liu Yue and representatives of Chinese business
fully supported this initiative. They confirmed that the shortage of qualified
local specialists is a key barrier to lowering project costs and scaling
operations. The Chinese side expressed readiness to act as a bridge between
Kazakhstan’s educational sector and PRC companies to organize targeted
workforce training.
Special attention was paid to financing mechanisms for
joint programs. Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the AIU Endowment Fund
Farkhad Kuanganov presented the capabilities of the university's target
capital. He explained the new legislative norms in Kazakhstan allowing
corporate investors to receive a 100% corporate income tax deduction. When
investing in an endowment fund, the principal capital remains untouched and
functions in perpetuity, while only the investment income is directed toward
educational projects – making this tool highly advantageous for the corporate
sector.
Following the meeting, the parties outlined several
concrete initiatives. In particular, an agreement was reached to organize a
joint forum in November bringing together Chinese business leaders and
academia. Additionally, the parties discussed the possibility of creating an
Alumni Association of the University of International Business and Economics
(UIBE) to further strengthen trade and economic ties.
In conclusion, the AIU delegation invited their
Chinese partners to the upcoming grand unveiling of the «Dialogue of Eastern Sages» monument – a
memorial to Confucius and Al-Farabi gifted to the university by the President
of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Both sides expressed
confidence that this dialogue will establish a solid foundation for long-term
and mutually beneficial cooperation.